Maxtor ATA manual Kilobyte Kb a unit of measure consisting of 1,024 210 bytes

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Glossary

that retains data as magnetic patterns on a rigid disk, usually made of an iron oxide or alloy over a magnesium or aluminum platter. Because hard disks spin more rapidly than floppy disks, and the head flies closer to the disk, hard disks can transfer data faster and store more in the same volume.

HARD ERROR – A repeatable error in disk data that persists when the disk is reread, usually caused by defects in the media surface.

HEAD – The tiny electromagnetic coil and metal pole piece used to create and read back the magnetic patterns (write and read information) on the media.

HIGH-CAPACITY DRIVE – By industry conventions typically a drive of 1 gigabytes or more.

HIGH-LEVEL FORMATTING – Formatting performed by the operating system’s format program. Among other things, the formatting program creates the root directory and file allocation tables. See also low-level formatting.

HOME – Reference position track for re-calibration of the actuator, usually the outer track (track 0).

HOST ADAPTER – A plug-in board that forms the interface between a particular type of computer system bus and the disk drive.

I

INITIALIZE – See low level formatting.

INITIATOR – A SCSI device that requests another SCSI device to perform an operation. A common example of this is a system requesting data from a drive. The system is the initiator and the drive is the target.

INTERFACE – A hardware or software protocol, contained in the electronics of the

disk controller and disk drive, that manages the exchange of data between the drive and computer.

INTERLEAVE – The arrangement of sectors on a track. A 1:1 interleave arranges the sectors so that the next sector arrives at the read/write heads just as the computer is ready to access it. See also interleave factor.

INTERLEAVE FACTOR – The number of sectors that pass beneath the read/write heads before the next numbered sector arrives.

When the interleave factor is 3:1, a sector is read, two pass by, and then the next is read. It would take three revolutions of the disk to access a full track of data. Maxtor drives have an interleave of 1:1, so a full track of data can be accessed within one revolution of the disk, thus offering the highest data throughput possible.

INTERNAL DRIVE – A drive mounted inside one of a computer’s drive bays (or a hard disk on a card, which is installed in one of the computer’s slots).

K

KILOBYTE (Kb) – A unit of measure consisting of 1,024 (210) bytes.

L

LANDING ZONE – A position inside the disk’s inner cylinder in a non data area reserved as a place to rest the heads during the time that power is off. Using this area prevents the heads from touching the surface in data areas upon power down, adding to the data integrity and reliability of the disk drive.

LATENCY – The period of time during which the read/write heads are waiting for the data to rotate into position so that it can be accessed. Based on a disk rotation speed of 3,662 rpm, the maximum latency time is 16.4 milliseconds, and the average latency time is 8.2 milliseconds.

LOGICAL FORMAT – The logical drive geometry that appears to an AT system BIOS as defined by the drive tables and stored in

G-4 Maxtor QuickView 400/500GB Serial ATA Hard Disk Drive

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Contents QuickView 400/500GB Serial ATA Product Manual January 13 Part NumberUL/CSA/VDE/TUV /RoHS PatentsPublication Number Part Number Before You Begin Table of Contents Sata BUS Interface and ATA Commands Introduction List of Figures List Of Tables Audience Manual OrganizationTerminology and Conventions ATAReferences General Description Product OverviewKEY Features Regulatory Compliance Standards Product EMI/EMS QualificationsHardware Requirements Installation Space RequirementsUnpacking Instructions 220-Pack Shipping Container Hardware Options Serial ATA Interface Connector Normal operation 3Gbps Limit Data Transfer Rate 1.5GbpsSerial ATA Bus Connector Adapter Board1Device plug connector pin definition Orientation ATA Bus Interface Connector J1, Section CMounting Following points should be noted5Mounting Screw Clearance and Mounting Screw Locations 6QuickView Serial ATA Mounting Dimensions Clearance Ventilation7Lengthwise Airflow Cooling For Systems with AN ATA Adapter Board Adapter Board InstallationTechniques in Drive Configuration Operating System LimitationsBig Drive Enabler Software download To use the Maxtor Big Drive EnablerInstallation Drive Configuration Model Number and CapacityPerformance Specifications Physical DimensionsMode Power Mode Definitions EPA Energy Star ComplianceEnvironmental Limits Parameter Operating NON-OPERATINGShock and Vibration PSDStart/Stop Cycles Reliability SpecificationsAnnualized Return Rate Data ReliabilitySafety Regulatory Compliance Canadian Emissions StatementMechanical Interface Command InterfaceIntroduction Electrical InterfaceSupported Commands Command Feature Register Code ValuesRead LOG Extension Identify Drive Command Content Description Capabilities Sata Bus Interface and ATA Commands Minimum PIO transfer cycle time without flow control Minor version number See Address Offset Reserved Area Boot, Incits TR272001 = release interrupt enabled General Purpose Logging feature set supported Content Description Removable Media Status Notification feature set support Security status Sata Bus Interface and ATA Commands Warranty Services Product SupportGlossary Glossary FCI Acronym for flux changes per inch. See also BPI Kilobyte Kb a unit of measure consisting of 1,024 210 bytes Millisecond ms One thousandth of a second .001 sec Glossary Sata Acronym for Serial ATA Glossary Index

ATA specifications

Maxtor ATA drives have played a significant role in the evolution of data storage technology, particularly during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Known for their reliability and performance, these drives became a popular choice for consumers and businesses alike.

One of the main features of Maxtor ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) drives is their interface. The ATA standard, which later evolved into the Parallel ATA (PATA) and Serial ATA (SATA) interfaces, allowed for the easy connection of hard drives to computers. This ensured broad compatibility across various systems, making it easier for users to upgrade their storage without facing compatibility issues.

The performance of Maxtor ATA drives was also a notable characteristic. With spinning speeds typically around 5400 RPM and 7200 RPM, these drives provided competitive read and write speeds compared to their contemporaries. The utilization of larger cache memory, often up to 8 MB or more, helped improve data transfer rates, ensuring quick access to files and applications.

Maxtor also deployed various technologies to enhance the reliability and longevity of their drives. One such innovation was the use of Shock Protection technologies, which minimized the risk of data loss due to physical shocks or impacts. This was particularly important for portable storage devices, where movement and jostling are common.

The drives were also designed with data integrity in mind. Maxtor incorporated features like S.M.A.R.T (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) to help predict drive failures by monitoring various parameters. This proactive approach greatly assisted users in taking precautions against data loss.

Capacity-wise, Maxtor ATA drives varied significantly over the years, from a few gigabytes in the early 1990s to several terabytes by the time the brand was phased out. This scalability made Maxtor products suitable for both casual users and enterprises needing to store vast amounts of data.

In conclusion, the Maxtor ATA drives represented a significant step forward in storage technology, combining reliability, performance, and innovation. Their legacy continues to influence modern storage solutions, as many of the underlying principles and technologies have persisted into the current era of data storage. Though the brand is no longer in active development, its impact remains a noteworthy chapter in the history of computing.
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